Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistani fast bowler renowned for his mastery with the ball, has shared insights into facing some of the best batters of his time and offered thoughts on the modern batting sensation, Babar Azam.
Throughout his illustrious career, Akram engaged in exhilarating battles against cricketing giants like Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Ricky Ponting. His ability to swing the new ball and reverse swing the old one made him a formidable opponent across different conditions and against top players from various teams.
Speaking on a local TV show, Akram lauded Babar Azam’s batting prowess, ranking him among the top three batters in the contemporary cricketing landscape. He emphasized Babar’s adeptness in playing orthodox cricket shots, contrasting him with pinch hitters whose aggressive approach might offer more opportunities for bowlers.
For Akram, bowling to batters of Babar’s caliber requires a strategic approach akin to facing Lara and Tendulkar. He stressed the importance of maintaining attacking lines in the early overs to assess the batters’ readiness on a particular pitch. Unlike facing aggressive hitters who may present more chances for dismissal, technically proficient batsmen like Babar, Lara, and Tendulkar pose a challenge due to their ability to consistently execute quality shots.
In Akram’s view, the key to bowling against such batsmen lies in testing their resolve early on, ensuring they are not comfortably settled on the pitch. By adopting an aggressive approach initially, bowlers can gauge the batters’ form and adapt their tactics accordingly to create opportunities for breakthroughs.
Looking ahead, Babar Azam is set to showcase his skills in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 matches, representing Peshawar Zalmi against Islamabad United. As cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate his performances, Akram’s insights serve as a testament to the challenges and strategies involved in bowling to elite batsmen like Babar Azam in the modern game.